Attitudes

Chloé.Attitudes is an exhibition celebrating Chloé’s 60 year contribution to fashion culture. Staged at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, and curated by Judith Clark, here we offer a glimpse at the making of the exhibition. Behind the scenes never looked so good.

Bananas

Occasionally, since the turn of the millennium, Chloé has gone bananas, with the fruit popping up across two much-loved collections. And why bananas? Why not. It’s simply a bit of whimsical fun – something very important to Chloé.

Counter-Couture

Counter-Couture celebrates the birth of luxury ‘Prêt-à-Porter’. Founding Chloé in 1952, Gaby Aghion tapped into the optimism, energy and freedom of post-war Paris, whilst rebelling against the formality of haute couture. She emerged as a ‘ready-to-wear’ pioneer.

Deco

Like Chloé itself, Art Deco was born in Paris. It has a sensibility echoed by that of Chloé: decorative beauty meets balanced proportions and simple lines rather than fussy styles – an aesthetic that still exerts its influence at the Maison today.

Embroidery

Embroidery is key at Chloé. While an haute couture craft by excellence, when Chloé appropriates it, it’s to add texture, inject humour and playfulness. Embroidery here is never what you expect – it’s never too precious and worn with a light touch.

Fluidity

“In Egypt, the sand is like silk. It is fluid. It moves” – the words of Chloé founder Gaby Aghion are eloquent. Taking this inspiration, freedom of movement has become a signature of the Chloé aesthetic and informed fabric choices across the decades.

Gaby

This is the personal story of Chloé founder, Gaby Aghion. It’s her journey from Egypt to Paris to the creation of Chloé. Discover why and how she did it, and in doing so, imbued the Maison with a spirit and set of values that are still alive today.

Horses

With freedom such a key element of the Chloé spirit, it’s only natural that the horse – wild and running free – has become somewhat of a motif for Chloé, making diverse appearances on garments right through to boutique door-handles.

Innovators

First, under the guiding hand of Gaby Aghion, a pioneer of luxury ‘Prêt-à-Porter’, and now 60 years later through Clare Waight Keller’s direction, Chloé has always innovated. Here you’ll meet the Chloé innovators – the designers who have shaped the Maison across the decades.

Joy

Fashion shows just aren’t what they used to be. Back in the 70s and 80s, Chloé runway shows were like parties. Spontaneously full of joy and life, models expressed themselves and had a lot of fun. So here’s a little insight into Chloé ‘joie de vivre’.

Kaleidoscope

Inspired by founder Gaby Aghion’s Egyptian root, one colour dominates at Chloé: ‘nude’, a palette that can span from almost sheer pink to dark chocolate. But of course, a kaleidoscope of colours complements, warming and flattering natural beauty.

Light

Light sets the mood for the Chloé world, but not just any light. It’s the warmth of natural light that uplifts the Chloé woman making her feel radiant… the same light that naturally shone for Egyptian-born Chloé founder, Gaby Aghion during her younger years.

Music

Music sets the scene in the Chloé world. The sounds you hear affect your mood, your thoughts and the way you move. Music is the soundtrack to a party, to good times, so naturally, it’s one of the key ingredients to the Chloé attitude.

Nude

“I’ve always thought women look better naked”. This insight from Chloé founder, Gaby Aghion, has a huge influence on the Maison’s design aesthetic. For Chloé, a garment’s main role is to adorn and flatter the naked body, rather than obscure its natural beauty.

The Roundness of ‘O’

Join us in a leap through the letter O… focus on the form and feminine shape of ‘roundness’ inherent to the name Chloé. It’s a recurring aesthetic theme as round pops up everywhere. Once you spot it, you can see it everywhere in Chloé.

Paris

Chloé has always been perfectly in sync with the Parisian mood. World famous as a capital of supreme elegance, it’s a rich source of inspiration for Chloé. Discover the parts of the city of light that are close to our heart: hotspots for shoots, shows, boutiques and stories.

QUOTES

Here we celebrate a rich and ground breaking 60 year heritage through the very words of Chloé founder Gaby Aghion. Memorable and insightful, these quotes reflect her character, as well as the everlasting values and essence of the Maison.

Rachmaninoff

Being the art-loving intellectual that she is, Chloé founder Gaby Aghion created a unique alphabetized naming convention for her collections and the items within each, inspired by talents such as the composer Rachmaninoff.

Skin

For Chloé, feel is as important as aesthetic. We like to delight all the senses. This is why, when it comes to accessories, we use the finest leathers. Here you’ll meet our iconic accessories and learn about the craft behind making them.

Trompe l’oeil

Trompe l’oeil, ‘to deceive the eye’, is a prominent feature of surrealist art. An optical illusion. As devoted art lovers, both Chloé founder Gaby Aghion and Karl Lagerfeld wittily played with trompe l’oeil. It’s Chloé through and through.

U (You)

At the private view of Chloé.Attitudes, every guest was asked to leave a message for Chloé to celebrate the 60th anniversary, and mark the occasion in their very own way. We turned these into a short film. So this theme is yours – it’s all about U, or you…

Visit

Is a chance to do just that – experience the Chloé.Attitudes exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo from wherever you are in the world. Curator, Judith Clark, presents a series of short educational pieces focusing on key parts and themes of the exhibition.

Woman

When defining the Chloé woman we look to Gaby Aghion: “I lived the life I wanted to. I always wanted to remain independent, so I went for it. I had incredible faith and boldness”. So like Gaby, the Chloé women are authentic, determined, free-spirited and full of youthful energy.

KISS

To those who have designed for, bought, worn, written, shared, followed and supported Chloé, we say thank you – this is for you: Parisian-based ‘Melody’s Echo Chamber’ has created a song based on the Chloé sensibility… X from all at Chloé.

Youthful

‘Young at heart’ is an overused phrase but it sums up the Chloé aesthetic perfectly. Chloé has a mindset that tries to keep the carefree spirit of youth alive, regardless of age. Yes Chloé has a rich history, but for this anniversary year, we like to say we’re 60 years young.

Zoom

Any study of the Chloé design aesthetic wouldn’t be complete without looking at the detail and craft that goes into some of the house’s more delicate, intricate and even extravagant creations. Explore and enter Chloé’s world of small details with great resonance.

Coming soon

v / Visit

Visit

Chloé.Attitudes is an exhibition celebrating Chloé’s 60-year contribution to fashion culture. Since 1952, from Gaby Aghion to its present Creative Director, Clare Waight Keller, it has built an enviable legacy of luxury ‘Prêt-a-Porter’.

The exhibition, at Palais de Tokyo, Paris, takes a playful and thematic path through Chloé’s creativity, pausing at key moments within its history.

The exhibition is a product of Chloé’s recently formed archive situated at the Maison’s Parisian headquarters, within which are thousands of ensembles, drawings and references, many of which are on show to the public for the first time.

The exhibition opened on 29th September and runs until 18th November 2012. If you are in Paris, we’d love you to pop in and take a look.

If you’re not able to visit in person, please enjoy this short film narrated by curator, Judith Clark: a filmic fly- through of the key exhibits, features and themes. We hope it provides a small insight into what you’re missing – or a tantalising glimpse of Chloe.Attitudes if you are lucky enough to attend.

Info

The Gallery

Gaby Aghion

1952-1985

Born in Egypt in 1921, Gaby Aghion moved to Paris after the war and pioneered the concept of "luxury ready-to-wear" with the creation of Chloé in 1952. She did not feel comfortable with the restrictive wardrobe of the fifties and her thirst for greater emancipation quickly outweighed this “Couture” period as she turned the page without hesitation to offer women a new approach to fashion.

The young Gaby chose the fabrics, drew six models and had them made by the head seamstress at the atelier Lelong. She then decided to offer them herself to the fashion boutiques which were then just starting to carry ready-to-wear clothes. She put on the first Chloé show in 1956 at a breakfast at the Café de Flore, the epicentre of young intellectual Parisians that she mingled with. It was a success and today she is still the first to express her surprise at her own audacity.

To keep the flame alive and the label youthful, Gaby Aghion continuously sought talented designers, names that are now part of the history of contemporary fashion, to work alongside her.

Karl Lagerfeld

1965-1984 then 1992-1996

In 1965, a young man from Hamburg, Karl Lagerfeld, joined Chloé and worked under the direction of Gaby Aghion – alongside Maxime de La Falaise, Michèle Rosier and Graziella Fontana – before being appointed the house’s exclusive designer in 1975.

Under his direction, Chloé became one of the most iconic brands of the seventies. Karl was particularly noted for his sense of humour and eccentric creations. Each of his collections for the brand became a happening.

Karl left Chloé in 1984, but was to return for a second time in 1992, staying for another four years.

Stella McCartney

1997-2001

Stella McCartney was born in London – the daughter of Sir Paul, and his wife Linda. At the age of 26, after graduating from Central Saint Martins, Stella was hired by Chloé as Creative Director to replace the outgoing Karl Lagerfeld.

Inspired by her mother – who wore Chloé – the young designer brought a breath of fresh air: celebrities, style and buzz, youth and glamour, became part of the Chloé world.

The brand took on a vintage, sexy, rock ‘n’ roll tone, appealing to a new generation of young women who were nostalgic without being sentimental, independent and modern. The Chloé wardrobe always mixes all kinds of influences – and the vital energies of the street inspired Stella’s take.

Phoebe Philo

2002-2006

When Stella McCartney left Chloé, her assistant and friend, Phoebe Philo, succeeded her at the brand. Born in Paris, Phoebe graduated from London’s Central Saint Martins a year after Stella.

Her aesthetic was subtly different. With Phoebe’s arrival, Chloé started to work leather, to the delight of customers, who rushed to get bags and shoes.

With Phoebe, a complete wardrobe of desirable pieces was developed – faithful to the spirit of the brand and yet right for now. She offered a new way of looking at fashion, adding a twist of British cool to the very Parisian Chloé.

Hannah MacGibbon

2008-2011

Hannah MacGibbon was born in London. Another graduate of the capital’s Central Saint Martins, she initially worked under Phoebe at Chloé and is credited with bringing a touch of chic to the street style of her predecessor.

In 2008, Hannah took over the reigns at Chloé for three years. Bringing in a demure aesthetic of timeless pieces and neutral colours, she drew on a seventies aesthetic of the brand but with a modern twist. Wide capes, nude tones, jeans and chambray shirts were revisited, with belted high-waist pants.

Clare Waight Keller

FROM 1ST JUNE 2011

Clare Waight Keller was born in Birmingham. She succeeded Hannah at Chloé in the summer of 2011, moving from Pringle of Scotland.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art, she began her career at Calvin Klein in New York, worked in the men’s studio at Ralph Lauren, and then at Gucci, under Tom Ford.

Eagerly anticipated, Clare Waight Keller’s first show for Chloé took place in October 2011. It went to Chloé’s very soul – fluid and feminine “but boyish”, she said, these qualities were expressed in long white and powder pink pleated dresses, eyelet embroidery and belts on the hips of wide pants.

Developing her take on Chloé for Autumn / Winter 2012, there were blouses, throw-on coats and pretty dresses in a sorbet palette. Chic, sensual and natural, that’s Clare’s Chloé.